Historical accounts can help your readers understand the origins of a situation and how the situation has changed over time. One writer compares the days of Henry Ford with the drivers of today to introduce her informative essay about moving toward a hydrogen economy.

In the early twentieth century, the products of Henry Ford’s assembly lines introduced Americans to the joys of the open road. Large, powerful automobiles quickly became a symbol of wealth and success. With gas prices sky-high, Americans today are being forced to take a good, long look at their choices. The SUVs, trucks, and minivans popular until recently are largely viewed as symbols of excess and environmental irresponsibility, and many consumers now prefer fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicles, like the successful Toyota Prius. In fact, some drivers have become so determined to escape their pricey dependence on fossil fuels that they’ve begun to seek out alternative energy sources.